Grey and chilly and still busy

The window boxes outside the Plaza Atheneé. 10:00 PM. Photo: JH.

November 13, 2009. Grey and chilly yesterday, with intermittent rain and storms forecasted for the weekend.

Last night in New York at the St. Regis Roof, the American Associates of the Royal Academy Trust held their annual dinner dance In The Presence of HRH Princess Alexandra, the Honorable Lady Oglivy. Princess Alexandra who is a cousin of the Queen (their fathers were brothers).

Hugh Hildesley, the chairman of the American Associates and Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, President of the Royal Academy, and Princess Alexandra presented the awards to this year’s honorees Dame Jillian Sackler DBE who was given the Benjamin West Award and Jeff Koons who was the recipient of the John Singleton Copley Award.

This is a glittering and glamorous affair, enhanced by the surroundings and made moreso by the presence of Her Royal Highness who is the most gracious and relaxed of any of the British royals to visit these shores.

HRH Princess Alexandra, the American Associates' Kathleen Hearst, and Royal Academy's President Sir Nicholas Grimshaw

HRH Princess Alexandra, Dame Jillian Sackler, and Sir Nicholas Grimshaw

Dame Jillian’s award, the Tondo Medallion, is a replica medal of Michelangelo’s marble tondo the Virgin and Child with the Infant St. John. The Academy’s most prized possession, the marble tondo is one of four carvings by Michelangelo outside of Italy and the only one in Great Britain. It hangs in the Jillian and Arthur M. Sackler Wing of the Royal Academy.

Dame Jillian with her late husband has undertaken numerous projects benefiting artists and the public worldwide. Through the AMS Foundation, she has financed not only the Royal Academy’s Sackler Gallery but also the Sackler at the Smithsonian, the Sackler Museum at Harvard and the Sackler Museum at Peking University in China.

Barbara Bancroft, Peter Gregory, Grace Meigher, Robert Tartarini, and Jamee Gregory.

She reminded us in her acceptance speech that of all the cultural institutions in Britain, the Royal Academy’s funds come mainly from private sources – that American tradition – and that the Americans have been supporters since the late 18th century. West was the first American to head the Royal Academy.

Jeff Koon’s Copley Award is the American Associates highest honor for artistic excellence. Last year, three of Mr. Koons large-scale Celebration sculptures were on display in the Roof Garden of the Met. He is also the first living artist to exhibit at the Palace of Versailles. His award is a sterling silver piece designed by Frank Gehry, who is an Honorary Royal Academician as well as a world renowned architect and designer.

Mr. Koons told last night’s guests that art for him was about the power of acceptance.

Jeff Koons accepting his Frank Gehry-designed John Singleton Copley Award from Princess Alexandra, and Sir Nicholas Grimshaw.

Mary Hilliard photographing the group -- Hugh Hildesley, Princess Alexandra, Jeff Koons, and Sir Nicholas Grimshaw.

Also Hugh Hildesley whose day job is Auctioneer at Sotheby’s, conducted a very successful auction of works by Royal Academicians Frank Bowling, Tracey Emin, Paul Huxley, Allen Jones, Richard Long and David Remfry. The auction raised more than $80,000. All proceeds will go toward the Keeper’s House project that is part of the Royal Academy of Arts’ Capital Campaign. The Keeper’s House will provide much needed facilities within Burlington House, for the Royal Academicians and prominent supporters to meet, exchange ideas, dine and entertain guests.

Under the Directorship of Kathleen Hearst, the American Associates of the Royal Academy has been energized markedly. Last night’s co-chairs were Barbara (Mrs. Thomas) Bancroft Jr. and Victoria (Mrs. Frank Wyman for New York. For Washington D.C. co-chairs were Ann (Mrs. William) Nitze and the Honorable Selwa S. Roosevelt.

The St. Regis Roof last night.

In the crowd: Mary McFadden, Marc DeBary, Deeda and Bill Blair, Fred and Candace Beinecke, Patricia Patterson, Raul Suarez, Marife Hernandez and Joel Bell, Gillian Attfield, Konrad Keesee and Irene Aitken, Pierre Durand, HRH Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Wendy Vanderbilt Lehman, William Ivy Long, Barbara de Portago, Zita Davisson, Count Marc de Gontaut-Biron and Countess Elizabeth de Kergorlay, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Chris and Grace Meigher, Guy Robinson and Elizabeth Stribling, Sharon Bush, Mr. and Mrs. George Coumantaros, Lee (Mrs. Lawrence Copley) Thaw, Jamie Figg, Margo Langenberg, Valerie and Charles Diker, Jonathan and Somers Farkas, Lady Nicholas Gordon Lennox, Sir Ronald Grierson, Lady Grimshaw, Kirk Henckels and Fernanda Kellogg, Gaetana Enders, Carolina and Reinaldo Herrera, Mary Hilliard, Kim and Jack Kilgore, Alberto and Annabelle Mariaca, Elbrun Kimmelman, Antonia and Spiros Milonas, Dr. Charles Saumarez Smith, Diane Nixon, Kitty Ockenden (President Emeritus), Harold Reed, Nancy O’Sullivan, John Richardson, Betty and Stanley Scott, Lee and James Slaughter, Robert Tartarini, Patricia and Martin Sullivan, Frank and Victoria Wyman, Jill Spalding, Debbie and David Stileman, Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, Lisa Phillips, David Remfry (whose Tango on 20th Street sold at auction for $12,000), Ed Gallagher, and scores more of that ilk and stripe. Bob Hardwick and his Bob Hardwick Sound filled the elegant St. Regis Roof with their beautiful music and kept the dancers dancing.

Wendy Vanderbilt Lehman, Chris Meigher, Barbara Bancroft, and Peter Gregory

Margo Langenberg

Grace Meigher, Robert Tartarini, and Jamee Gregory

Victoria Wyman

Dame Jillian Sackler

Ann Nitze and friend

Barbara Bancroft and William Ivey Long

Bob Hardwick and his boys ... The dancing sandals, New York style.

Also last night in New York: Margaret Russell, editor-in-chief of Elle Decor, hosted a people-packed opening of Buck House at its new location at 1318 Madison Avenue and 93rd Street. Deborah Buck, a tour de force of energy and creativity, opened the first Buck House nearby eight years ago. A few years later she opened the Gallery at Buck House where she curated fine art and photography exhibitions with people such as Charlie Scheips.

With her new location she has enough space to do everything under one roof and will continue to offer an eclectic selection of furniture, decorative objects, paintings, photography, and estate jewelry.

Among the guests were Charlotte Moss, Madeline Weinrib, Geoffrey Bradfield, Roric Tobin, Alex Papachristidis, Alison Mazzola, Heather Davis, Susanna Salk, Lisa and Philip Gorrivan, Christopher Buck, Sibel Mermelstein, Darren Hennault, Eddie Ross, and Maureen Footer.

Deborah Buck and Margaret Russell

Eddie Ross

Todd Sollis

Susanne Salk, Alison Mazzola, and Heather Alexander Weiss

Charlotte Moss and Darren Hennault

Chris and Deborah Buck

Jaithan Kochar and Matthew Talomie

Kaye Greenberg and Charlie Scheips

Marilyn White and Alison Mazzola

Russell Zelenetz, Sibel Marmelstein, and Stephen Feuerman

Chrstine Klotz, Kristoffer Mack, and Sophine Donelson

Ben Benoit and Janis Altman

Neil Edwards and Christina Juarez

Sue Dalsemer and Bruce Shostak

Sam Seawright and Diana Rowan

Fruzsina Keehn and Bobette Cohn

Meanwhile, over at the Edison Ballroom on West 47th between Broadway and Eighth, photographer Ann Watt was on hand for NYSD to record the Hassenfeld Committee and the KiDS of NYU Foundation Associates Committee’s “Adults in Toyland – Casino Night” attracting more than 600 New York professionals for a fun-filled evening of casino games and a silent auction to raise funds for the Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders and the NYU Langone Medical Center Department of Pediatrics.

Funds raised will support the needs of the Department of Pediatrics and the Hassenfeld Center as well as vital integrative care programs which greatly reduce stress and anxiety in patients and families that are not covered by health insurance. Programs include interim patient/family housing, bilingual child life therapy, and music and recreational therapy.

Morgan Hurzan, Robert Grossman, Dean-CEO NYU Medical Center, Susan Block Casdin, Kelly Kennedy Mack, Harlan Fabrikant Saroken, and Steven Jaffee.

Casino Night in full swing last night at the Edison Ballroom.

Last night’s Co-chairs were Susan Block Casdin, Morgan Hertzan, Steven Jaffe, Patti Kim, Joshua Laterman, Kelly Kennedy Mack, Harlan Saroken and Michael Weaver.

Telio Pacifici and Marta Schorling

Pritzi Sutton with Freddie and Eddie Barronoff

Lizzie and Jonathan Tish

Steven Smith, Tammy Sexton, Ben Rafini, JR Green, and Peter Baer

Harris Briston, Arthur Bierman, Dr. Howard Ginsberg, and Dr. Bernard Dryer

Andrew Frankel and Kim Saperstein

Hedy Mark and Sharon Casdin

Erlene Gochuico and Anthony Gerrits

Lisa Silverman, Susan Block Casdin, Brook Scott, and Lisa Manice

Dr. Sal and Julia Presti

Christina and Steven Cornblatt

Aurore Ankarcrona and Andrew Goodwin

Charlotte Blechman, Tara Lipton, and Alexis Mintz

Ed and Karen Shensky

Beth Greenspan and Janelle Lynn

Amanda and Norma Smith, Amy Dwek, and Laura Smith

Barkley Healthcare Services Team

Carina Nichols and John Hofner

Joanna Kornfeld and Daniel Erem

Keri Glassman, Joel Scott, Alexis Mintz, and Marty McGowan

Kimberly and Andrew Goodwin, Aurore Ankarcrona, and Scott Groodwin

Michael Rapp and Joe Somma

Stewart and Darrel Kershaw

Christina Janoura and Erin Irofida with John and Lori Chaitman

Patrick McMullan, Jennifer Berman, and Patti Kim

Sharon Casdin and Laurie Block

Ludmilla Suvorova and Aida Bicaj

Jaqueline Marks, Anna Goodkind, and Yael Kahn

Sara Gore

Mark Jansen, Hedy Mark, Sharon Casdin, and Juliette Jansen

Maja and Nicholas Duvoul with Laura Rosen

Susi and Peter Wunsch

Yulia Soukhanova and Dr. Jeff Dellorusso

George and Jennifer Plamonbon with Ruth Canaan

“Give me your dreams and I will make them happen,” is how our friend, interior designer Juan Montoya likes to start his dialogue with clients. Juan has a new book out of his work, Juan Montoya, written by Elizabeth Gaynor, published by Monacelli Press. 304 pages of Montoya beauty from Beach and Golf Clubs, to Park Avenue apartments, Paris pied-a-terres, Miami Beach flats, country houses, offices, Show Houses, townhouses as well as his own glamorous Manhattan flat.

Beach House, Golden Beach, Florida, 2006. The tranquil waters of the Intracoastal serve as the color link to the master bedroom. A delicate Art Nouveau light fixture, a houndstooth table, and an assortment of patterns create layers of intriguing tension. Photograph by Ken Hayden.

Beach House, Golden Beach, Florida, 2006. A delicate metal balustrade delineates the sweeping staircase in the front hall. A painting by Donald Sultan and a crystal and metal Swedish chandelier by Erik Höglund (c. 1960) accentuate the height of the space. Photograph by Ken Hayden.

International Design Center, Estero, Florida, 2006. At the main entrance, patinated copper doors of my design open onto a welcoming reception room. Photograph by Eric Laignel.

International Design Center, Estero, Florida, 2006. Under a coved ceiling of anigre wood, comfortable custom lounges await visitors in the reception area. A floating desk in tiger wood echoes the curves of the chairs. Photograpph by Eric Laignel.

Kips Bay Show House, New York City, 2009. A buoyant color field painting of mine draws the eye toward this wall, where my 16-foot sectional sofa with white bun feet resides, flanked by Swedish side tables from the 1920s. A cerused oak coffee table of my design provides counterweight. Photograph by Eric Piasecki.

South Beach Flat, Miami Beach, Florida, 2003. In the living room, an Old Mill stone, a rhinoceros in solid bronze, and a bronze torso create a compelling composition. Photograph by Ken Hayden.

Beach and Golf Club, Miromar Lakes, Florida. In the entrance hall, the limestone arch and brass and parchment fixtures set a cool Mediterranean tone. Photograph by Eric Laignel.

Beach and Golf Club, Miromar Lakes, Florida, 2007. Across the divide, Doric columns elegantly elevate white upholstered furniture and a leather table by Ralph Lauren. The bright whites and neutrals inspire a mood of easy luxury. Photograph by Eric Laignel.

Madison Avenue Apartment, New York City, 2003. In a study of neutrals, a splash of red offers the element of surprise. The armoire and chests are of my design. A circle sculpture by Bruno Romeda and a leg sculpture by Xavier Mascaró balance on an antique Chinese table. The wall behind the bed is covered with a cotton canvas panel, accented with nail heads. Photograph by Eric Piasecki.

Which reminds me: Down in Palm Beach at the opening night of Club Colette, the night before Halloween, Eles Gillet hosted a small dinner party of 26 to celebrate her BFF Jim Kaufman’s birthday. The hostess and the birthday greeted their guests in the Club’s newly designed patio garden for drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

Then everyone was ushered into the front room wing to a spectacular table (design by Event Fun Girl, Shirley Murphy) seated for 26 decorated in “Couture skeletons gone crazy in the pumpkin patch.” The menu created by Chef John included Palm Beach Cheese Puffs and Rosettes of Smoked Salmon on Russian Pumpernickel, Seneglaise Soup and Cheese Straws, followed by Dover Sole with the club’s famous Mushoom Risotto and Baby Squash. A decadent Chocolate Birthday Cake was presented and served with JK’s favorite Profiteroles stuffed with Vanilla Gelato.

Birthday table décor designed by Event Fun Girl, Shirley Murphy.

Guests included: Mark and Mary Freitas, John and Liz Schuler, Henry and Joanne Breyer, Billy and Ann Hamilton, Bill Diamond and Regine Traulsen, Rodney and Peggy Dillard, Richard Horowitz and Diane Downs, Jean Tailer and Charles Schmidt, Robert Nederlander and Pat Cook, Richard Horowitz and Diane Downs, Charlene Nederlander (flew in from NY sans Jim) Gerry Goldsmith, Scott Snyder, Renee Wood, Ann Downey and Jimmy Clark. Everyone had a helluva good time celebrating with the birthday boy and his gracious hostess.